Egypt has officially been declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after nearly 100 years of efforts to stop the disease. WHO praised the Egyptian government and its people for ending malaria, a disease that has existed since ancient times. Egypt is the third country in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve this status, following the UAE and Morocco. Certification requires no malaria transmission for at least three years. WHO has urged Egypt to remain vigilant to maintain its malaria-free status, with ongoing prevention efforts to avoid re-establishing the disease.

India has been officially certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma, a bacterial infection that causes blindness, has affected millions worldwide. India's efforts began in 1963 with support from WHO and UNICEF, implementing the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement). By 2018, trachoma cases had dropped significantly to 0.008%. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised India’s dedication, saying it offers hope to other nations battling preventable blindness.

Scientists at the University of Oxford are developing OvarianVax, the world’s first vaccine for ovarian cancer, which aims to eliminate the disease. This innovative jab trains the immune system to recognize early-stage ovarian cancer and could be offered preventatively on the NHS. Led by Professor Ahmed Ahmed, the research focuses on targeting over 100 proteins on cancer cells. With funding of up to £600,000 from Cancer Research UK, the team plans to conduct clinical trials in women with BRCA mutations and the general population, potentially transforming ovarian cancer treatment in the next five years.

Researchers at the University of Oxford are developing the world’s first ovarian cancer vaccine, OvarianVax, which teaches the immune system to attack early-stage ovarian cancer cells. This breakthrough, funded by Cancer Research UK, could potentially eradicate the disease, similar to the success of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer. The vaccine is being developed for clinical trials on women with BRCA gene mutations, who are at higher risk. Researchers hope to see the vaccine's impact in as soon as five years.

The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has flagged 53 drugs, including paracetamol, as "Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) Alert" in its latest monthly report. The list features popular medications, including calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, anti-diabetes drugs, and high blood pressure medications. Notably, antibiotics like Clavam 625 and Pan D have been deemed "spurious." Manufactured by companies such as Hetero Drugs and Alkem Laboratories, these drugs failed quality tests conducted by state drug officers. Pharmaceutical firms have denied responsibility, claiming the flagged batches are spurious and not produced by them, pending further investigation.

India has reported its first case of the Mpox Clade 1 strain, which led the WHO to declare a public health emergency last month. The patient, a 38-year-old man from Kerala's Malappuram district, recently returned from the UAE and is stable under observation. The fast-spreading strain is endemic to Central Africa and can cause severe illness. Since the WHO's 2022 declaration, India has seen 30 Mpox cases. Over 800 suspected Mpox deaths have been reported across Africa this year.

One-year-old conjoined twins Minal and Mirha from Pakistan were successfully separated during a 14-hour surgery at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital on July 19, 2024. Led by British surgeon Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, the complex procedure utilized mixed reality technology to guide the separation. The twins, who were joined at the head and shared vital brain tissue and blood vessels, are recovering well and expected to return home next month. Supported by the charity Gemini Untwined, the operation marks a significant achievement in separating craniopagus twins.

Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George confirmed a case of mpox in Malappuram, involving a 38-year-old man who recently returned from the UAE. The patient is currently undergoing treatment, and isolation facilities have been established in hospitals across the state. George urged individuals traveling from other countries to report any mpox symptoms and seek immediate medical assistance. Over 103,000 mpox cases have been reported globally across 120 countries, with Kerala continuing its vigilant monitoring. Phone numbers of nodal officers for the health department have been shared for assistance in managing the outbreak.

independent probe into the 2021 death of 27-year-old Jack Last has revealed significant NHS failings. Last died from a blood clot after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, despite being ineligible due to his age. His GP mistakenly called him up early for vaccination, denying him a safer alternative recommended for under-30s. The report attributed Last's death to "a combination of system shortcomings, human error, and tragic unfortunate timing," highlighting the need for improved vaccine administration protocols. The findings have led Last's family to accuse the NHS of a "litany of errors" that cost a young life.

A suspected case of mpox has been reported in Kerala’s Malappuram district. A man, who recently returned from abroad, showed symptoms of the virus and was admitted to Manjeri Medical College. His samples have been sent to Kozhikode Medical College for testing. This comes after a confirmed mpox case was reported last week in Delhi, where a 26-year-old from Haryana tested positive. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern last month, given its spread across Africa. Mpox symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.